Although Tom Cruise had
repeatedly done his own stunts in 'Mission: Impossible,' this one had everyone,
except Tom, wondering. Multiple cameras were set up, I was using a remote
controlled system linked to the Canon RS with the pellicle mirror, and
on a cue the special effects crew blew an explosive device on the large
fish tanks in the set and followed that up with vast ‘tip tanks’ containing
thousands of gallons of water. Tom had to time his escape to not get drowned
in the water but also not to leave too early to give away the game. We
could only do one take and that was enough.